Book Review- Ink Exchange
"Ink Exchange is an urban fantasy novel set in an alternate universe which is a lot like ours. The book requires the reader to stay focused, especially if you haven't read the previous book Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr. However, it is not very difficult to sustain the focus, it is a very interesting story line."
As the review has been published on TheNewsJockey, please click on the image to read the entire review!
Book Review- Definitions Of Love
"Since time immemorial, books and literature have been a means to broadening horizons, expressing unique ideas, thoughts and even experiences. Tasneem Sara's "Definitions of Love" is a book that lives up to its purpose. I love reading books, but nothing annoys me more than a writer pulling the concept, simply to fill pages. Tasneem's writing allows her book to move fast, doesn't get dull for even a moment, and even makes you fall in love with the antagonist"
Since the article has been published on another site, click on the image to read it.
(click link to read article)
Casalolo Indian Pizza- Entertainment Unlimited
Fab Beauty Parlour- Entertainment Unlimited
Alburooj Men's Salon- Entertainment Unlimited
Bliss Bakery and Cafe- Entertainment Unlimited
Stilettos in the Newsroom- Entertainment Unlimited
Zaina Boutique- Entertainment Unlimited
Doolally- Entertainment Unlimited
Fusion Boutique- Entertainment Unlimited
Meena's Point- Entertainment Unlimited
Trinity Youth Center- Entertainment Unlimited
Baghban's Chef- Entertainment Unlimited
Rejouvenance Beauty Parlour- Entertainment Unlimited
Shambhavi Beauty Parlor- Entertainment Unlimited
Zumba Classes at Studio 360- Entertainment Unlimited
Doolally- Time Out Pune
Mastani- Time Out Pune (Cover Story)
Amritanjali Dance School- Time Out Pune
Jalebee Cartel Party- Entertainment Unlimited (Page 3)
Antiquity Fusion Press Con- Entertainment Unlimited
Soup Trail- Time Out Pune (Cover Story)
Click on the individual articles to read them better!
Online Reviews
Product Review- AdMan by Winjit Technologies
Advertising can be quite a difficult and cumbersome procedure. Each step of the way requires adequate supervision and the right creativity. But, so far, it was a given that supervision and process tracking in the field of advertising was impossible.
Well, here is news for you. A brilliant new product-AdMan has now come to your rescue. It is a product designed for managing and tracking all aspects of advertisement process in a publishing company. It is mostly and ideally suited for contract publishing companies.
The advertising and publicity chain have a tendency to lead to duplication of work, which causes wastage of resources. AdMan ensures that duplication of work is completed eliminated. It provides functions for capturing Order details; Invoice generation; Receipts; Revenue analysis; Commission calculations etc. It also provides the user with an option to get a graphical view of the entire issue. This allows you to plan and manage the space for editorials and advertisements by simple drag and drop operation.
Other than the creative aspects of publishing and advertisement, it also assists the management process by providing options for connecting with Sage ACT CRM for pulling customer details while booking an order and with Sage Accounting for automatic invoices and receipts posting.
“AdMan has allowed our procedures get taken care of easily. For an entrepreneurial venture, this helps keep the processes in control and allows us to pay more attention to the minute details of the projects”, says advertising entrepreneur *enter name here*. Another user of the product *enter name here* says, “AdMan helps me work at ease. This way I can pay more attention to the conceptualizing and waste lesser time on the aesthetics”. Ashwin Kondoi of Winjit Technologies, the bringers of the product says, “One always has to move towards evolution. This product can be taken as a step forward in the evolution of the advertising and the publishing world.”
AdMan has already been launched in the UK in collaboration with Microsap. It has tasted great success and is now being launched in India as well. It has key features such as:
AdMan provides its users with benefits like maintaining and storing all advertisement related details in a structured manner using one single program, elimination of duplication of work, saving on time and effort, better tools for management and control operations.
AdMan aims at providing procedural solutions for the advertising and publishing processes. One can say that it allows one to separate the creative work, from the rest. All in all, for a person in the advertising and publishing industry , it is a “must have” product!
Breakfast In Style!
The places with the most students will be the places that inevitably serve the best breakfast. Restaurants that vary in size and price structures are all over the city. There are a few places that many people don’t even know about. They are so small, that their existing clientele does well for them. And the patrons love the fact that it’s them alone who come there. This adds a great deal of personal touch.
Starting with the well known reasonably priced joints, FC road is flooded with breakfast joints. You will find that the prices differ, but they are mostly full. There is Vaishali, which is almost world famous in Pune for its lip smacking goodies. It is a little pricy. But it has earned it. Vaishali is one of the oldest restaurants on that road and has a number of loyal patrons who will stand in line for an hour, but will not cheat on it by going to any other place on the road. The seats in the balcony-cum-garden are the mostly desired ones. Hustle bustle and yummy smells are the trademark of this place.
Savera is another all time favorite. It is not as pricy as vaishali and not as crowded either. Although Savera does serve one of the best south Indian breakfast delights. One will find students from FC sipping their chai while they complete their assignments. It is a typical college joint as lighter pockets find it more favourable. However, parking can at times be an issue, but then again, it’s a risk one has to take. Akhir peth ka savaal hai.
Another reasonable yet slightly pricy joint is madhuban on Dhole Patil road. This one is a favorite of the Wadia college students. It opens early and serves well. Madhuban has ample seating and is almost always full. It is often known as an extension to the Wadia college canteen. Madhuban serves a variety of foods that tingle your taste buds and satisfy your appetite.
Coming to the low cost joints. Ones that get frequented a lot more during the last week of the month. Parvara on salunkhe Vihar road serves a good selection of south Indian and Parsi delicacies. It opens really early and is a delight for the miserly. Parvara has a low seating capacity. It is always occupied but never full. The pleasant owners are always there, greeting the regulars with smiles and conversations.
Now, high priced 5-star hotels. Pune is a place frequents a lot by tourist. Koregaon Park is known for its expensive food, expensive clothes and expensive houses. German Bakery serves a good variety of Indian and continental breakfast favorites to satisfy all. It is one of the old faithful joints in the city. It is a tourist spot in itself, a landmark to guide by. German bakery is one of the only places in the city that even give the option of salad as breakfast and the coffee is to die for.
Arora Towers, one of the cities premiere hotels, serves a delightful breakfast buffet with variety that could make your head spin and prices to make it spin even more. Their baked beans on toast is a must have for any one who savours continental and healthy food. It may pinch your pocket a bit, but your taste buds will make up for it.
Variety on the breakfast table, thy name is Pune!!
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Written for asklaila.com
Toy Shops in Pune.
World of Toys in camp is one of the most popular outlet for children and parents. They have a varied collection of toys and games for children at all ages and cater to a broad price range. They say that toys are indeed very instrumental in a child’s physical, mental and emotional growth. And, as such toy world can serve a child of any temperament. World of Toys offers a wide range of toys and games for specific purposes like concentration building and memory enhancement. All in all, it is indeed a wonderful place to be, for you and for me!!
Hallmarks and Archies store outlets also host a variety of toys, games soft toys and gift toys along with other gifting items. They are a little bit on the pricier side, but quality is guaranteed. All products are approved as per standard guidelines and really look stunning. You will mostly find these outlets crowded with groups of school children just window shopping and wishfully thinking. Also, you will see adolescent boys and girls picking up cute gifts and cards for loved ones. These stores have a perpetual aura of love and a feeling of care and concern. For the Elder lot, theses are the stores where you will find readymade, yet, miraculously personalized gifts.
Jou Jou Land in erandwane is another delightful place to visit. A store that mirrors colour and creativity. This place has a fairly limited collection, but one that you will love. The toys and games found here are popular, some of them only heard of but never seen. A little far from the centre of the city, Jou Jou Land mainly caters to residents and visitors of kothrud and Erandwane locales. It is very reasonably priced and offers products of very good quality.
Another wonderful place for toy shopping is Toy World. Located in Pimpri, Toy world stands true to it’s name. It offers a world of variety in toys and a quality that is fairly good. Very much out of the city, Toy World mainly caters to patrons in Pimpri Chinchwad area, nonetheless, visitors do often find that a long detour to this store can prove to make you quite popular with the kids.
Another delightful place is Ambika, A Complete Toy Shop. True to its name, one can find absolutely all kinds of toys of all possible natures. From soft toys to high tech modern day toys, you can find almost the world here. Once you set foot in Ambika, you would not wish to go any where else. Located in Shukrawar Peth, it may seem to be a little out of the way. Nonetheless, their abundant variety and reasonable prices, make the journey worth it.
Toys are very essential for a child’s development. But what is more essential is the right guidance about the use and the right age for the toys. All stores today offer such guidance. No matter how many new toys pour into the market, Barbie, Ken and GI Joe will reside right where they used to, The No 1 position!!
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Written for asklaila.com
Best Continental Restaurants in Pune.
Firstly, we discuss the wining and dining at the top hotels in the city. Aurora Tower, Le Meridien, Sun and Sand and of course, Taj Blue Diamond. These hotels serve exquisite continental food. It is finger licking good. A little bit on the pricy side, these places offer amazing service with amazing food. They say, the way to a person’s heart, is through theirs stomach. These places find their way to your pocket enroute as well. Another addition to the 5 star and wagon is St. Laurn. A relatively new hotel, St. Laurn serves the most delicious Italian meals one can find. St. Laurn is also on the pricy side, but who says no to paying the price for time well-spent?
Arthur’s Theme, located in Koregaon Park is one of the most popular Italian and continental restaurants. It is often frequented by the rich and famous when they visit our mini-tinsel town. Healthy and tasty food items are the contents of it’s menu, Arthurs theme prepares and serves only the best. One will enjoy the service they get here, by fairly good looking waiters. Arthur’s Theme indeed has it all!!
11 East Street Café is a relatively new place which has an innovation ambience that really adds life to your eating out experience. True to its name, the restaurant looks like a street in Briton and feels so too. With the amazing service here, one does feel, out of this world. It has an amazing menu that appeals to clientele of all age groups. So whether it’s a Birthday treat or a business meeting, at 11 East street, you will not feel out of place.
Flags, located right next to Inox Multiplex, is a wonderful place to go for a truly global experience. You will find all kinds of cuisine on their menu, and all of the dishes are quite delightful. Fairly expensive, but flags makes up for it with the taste. Flags is also known to host screening events and is a popular choice for conferences.
Place Touche Sizzler is the premiere sizzler joint of the city. It still has a fairly large number of loyal patrons who frequent it quite religiously. It serves sizzlers that are indeed the best you will find and quality that cannot be questioned. Service might seem a little slow to some, but with the dish they serve, its all worth it. Place touché is not very expensive and hence, has been able to stay in the race with the new and improved sizzler joints in the city.
ZK’s Restaurant in lullangar basically gained its popularity with the crowd due to the popularity of the owner, Zaheer Khan. ZK’s does get frequented by top notch cricketer’s and other sports personalities whenever they are in town. ZK’s has a very varied menu, with Indian, Chinese and Continental food which is finger licking good. Being reasonably priced, ZK’s has a lot of loyal patrons, mostly from the Lullanagar, Wanowrie, Kondhwa areas. Their wine list is quite long and indeed quite a delight. All in all, ZK’s is OK!!!
Deccan Harvest in Magarpatta City has an amazing ambience that can really make you want to go there again and again. Considering that it is situated in Magarpatta city, gives it an added ego boost that a restaurant would need. Deccan harvest serves food from all over the world, including Indian, Chinese, Continental and some food items that you just wouldn’t understand. If you believe that the way the room is lit plays a role on your eating experience, you will have the time of your life here. Very cozy ambience and food you could never stop eating, the price hardly matters, right? It for sure is a place that one should visit at least once!!
Bon apetit!!
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Written for asklaila.com
Beauty Parlours in Pune.
One of the best out of the regular parlours is Shambhavi’s on Salunkhe Vihar Road. They have reasonable prices and mediocre service. They will wax you well and thread you pretty. Completely hygienic yet not the kind of ambiance you would pay higher for. The working hours add a great deal of convenience for working women. One will also find good music here, it, kind of, helps ease the pain.
Now going a step up the price range ladder. We make a visit to Fab on NIBM Road and Beautiful People on SalunkheVihar Road. They are a little higher in prices but services are better. These are the parlours that will add a longer massage to your facials and a better wave to your hair cuts. These are the places where you will find all brands of hair colours and you can take your pick on the basis of price and quality. They believe in offering amazing services and guidance at a good price.
Pune is a cultural hub that is fast turning into a metro. And for that very reason women today need to feel like princesses when they leave the comfort of the parlour and rejoin the polluted world. There are a great deal of parlors that are slightly higher up the price range but offer great service and consumer satisfaction. These are the places that will tell you which hair cut, hair style and hair colour will suit you as well as how should you maintain your nails to keep them just perfect.
Indulge in Viman Nagar is a new parlour that has fast gained momentum and popularity due to just these factors and the fact that is one of Pune’s only Unisex salons . La Gazelle on Dhole Patil road has been catering to clients with excellence since many years and has several loyal patrons who trust them with their skin, nails and hair blindly. Roma’s in Clover Centre has helped so many women increase their self confidence by making them look the best they can. Roma’s is also an institute in Beautification and certifies several women in a year to help beautify women to perfection.
All in all, these are the parlours that one can really brag about getting a hair cut done from, or give credit for the splendid mani-pedi jobs.
But, come on, this is Pune. Many more options exist for those who seek them. There are many beauticians who do house calls. This is a boon for today’s women because time is a constraint. Not always can you leave your house if you have a little free time. For such incidences beauticians like Genevieve make house calls. She is mostly booked, but an appointment in advance can help you get parlour pampering in the comfort of your very home. Just one call and all your beauty woes can find a vent. Who knew that we could have our own Cleopatra-makers come home!!
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Written for asklaila.com
Children's Clothing Stores in Pune!
Most malls these days have separate sections for “kid’s wear”. An interesting isle to enter, these sections have attire for all kind of children. Attire that can truly add attitude to a toddler. Of course, they are a little pricy, but whats a little money in comparison to the “awwws” you get for your kid looking so cute. Malls like West side and Shopper’s Stop have a variety of absolutely adorable and chic clothing for the little people. So next time think about shopping therapy, try entering the Kid’s Isle for your little one too.
A few independent Children’s boutiques have also opened up around the town, simply emphasizing that kid’s clothing is “in”. Unique Kid’s Mart Pvt. Ltd. near Deccan Gymkhana is one such enterprise. They have apparel for children in the age group of 0-14. The place is filled with colours and the cutest designs that suit children. You will find it all here, from ethnic to party wear. It is fairly safe to say, that any kid can get an amazing make over right here.
Samrat Exclusive Children Wear, as the name suggests, is also a dealer in adorable kids apparel. One foot into the store would probably make you gag at all the things that children can wear, no matter how small they are. Samrat is reasonably priced and offers frequent discounts. All in all, it is a pleasure to shop for the toddlers here. The smile on the child’s face will be testimony enough!
Just Casuals in Camp is another place that you could find catering to all your kids wear woes. Also, at Just Casuals you could probably pick up a shirt or two for your self. A complete family shopping experience. Just Casuals is relatively reasonably priced, however, people seldom come out without buying a big bunch of stuff. Just Casuals offers variety with quality and guarantees. It’s not everyday that you get such a package, is it?
Clover Center, in Camp, is another place where kid’s apparel can be found in plenty. A good walk around the place and you can find the best bargains in town. From the stylish vogue attire to the simple and conventional clothing, it’s all right here. Clover Center has been a style hub of the city since ages. You can have clothes tailor made for your child here as well. The tailors will surely help you out with the cute designs.
Bubbles the Baby Store in wanowrie would also be a safe bet to find the right Hyde for your child. They hold variety the kids apparel for children up to the age of 10. You can also shop for other child related items here, like toys and utility items. You must be warned though, your toddler will give you quite a run for your money here, so be careful!!
Children add a lot of colours and life to our life too, a little money spent on ensuring their self confidence can prove to be money well spent!!
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Written for asklaila.com
Pune Libraries!!
The British Council Library is one of the finest and biggest in the city. It holds the highest number of titles from all era and genres. It has affiliated certifications too. Basically, it is the heaven of libraries in the city. The British Council Library is located on Fergusson college road and caters to a number of college students as well as working individuals alike. It is affiliated with the British council giving its members the esteem of association with international publications and several genius writers.
Readers’ Only Library in Koregaon park has a slightly high membership fees but holds an awesome collection of books from all genres. It has a huge member base and often holds book readings. It has books for readers of all age groups making it a popular choice for those who adore the library lifestyle. They hold all types of titles and writers. However, you might have to stay on a waiting list for the modern Indian Author books.
Friend’s Library on Salunkhe vihar Road is a great choice for those who do not prefer to read in a reading hall. It has a mediocre collections, however, they will arrange to get the books you need while you are on a waiting list. They have a reasonable membership fees which makes it a good option for those who are trying to acquire a reading habit.
The Poona Welfare Trust near GPO is a massive library that hosts numerous authors. Owing to the fact that it is associated to a trust, membership fees are very low. The books may be old, but then again, they have their own charm. It has a huge reading hall wherein students find it very easy and comfortable to study and gain knowledge. Silence, as always, needs to be maintained!
Albert Edward Institute and Library is one of the oldest homes for several authors. Situated in prime camp area, Albert Edward has a huge collections of books which are mostly donated by others. They do not have any specific membership fee. However, at times it might be difficult to find technical or subject specific books here. Nonetheless, the ambience would truly be mesmerizing to all library lovers in the city!
Other than these there are several smaller libraries in the city that do have a lot of patrons. Pune is indeed a city of book lovers, no area can survive without a library. Following is a list of a few of them:
Symphony Club – Pashan
Ameya Library- Dhole Patil Road
Abhiruchi Books –Karve Nagar
Pune Marathi Granthalay – Narayan Peth
Jungle Book Library – Aundh
Vaishnavi Library – Kothrud.
Happy Reading!
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Written for asklaila.com
Pakaod in the kitchen? Not any more!!!
Mrs. Vasnani residing in Panchratna Apartments, Fatima nagar, has been helping men and women create magic in the kitchen since 15 years. Indian, Lebanese, Sizzlers, Pizzas, Arabian, Italian, Spanish, Mock tails, Chocolates, you name it and she can teach you to whip it up in a jiffy. “I don’t believe in cooking secrets, if I think something will help make a good recipe, I teach it to my students!” hse says. She has a unique style of teaching several variations in each recipe. You will find yourself knowing a whole lot more than you think you learned!
She does not admit more than 8 students in each batch, making sure each student get complete attention. She designs the batches personally to fit everybody’s requirement. She has several male students too. The way to a woman’s heart is, also, through her stomach, and she can show you the map. She also conducts separate private workshop for batches at other locations, and provides very unique, motivating and exhilarating workshops for corporate houses as well.
Having trained several restaurateurs and their head chefs, she has also conducted demo’s for specialized microwave recipes and pre-made masalas by Rasoi Magic. Several of her students have won cooking awards for her very unique and ultra delicious Murg Anarkali and ingenious Stuffed Chicken with Rice.
So, men, the next time you want to give your special lady a surprise, learn to cook her favorite meal and cook it for her. And, women, one can never know too many recipes, here is where you can go to learn more!!
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Written for Street Guardian, Pune.
On a continental cuisine cruise
Starting with the well-known and perpetual joints, Pune’s five star hotels have to be acknowledged for their impeccable continental cooking. And, why not? When you have the clientele, you would put in an extra effort to add the “yumm” to the menu. Hotels like Le Meridien, Taj Blue Diamond, St. Laurn, Aurora Towers, Sun n’ Sand and Hotel Pride are known places for continental cuisine.
Sizzlers are a growing trend these days. The practice of eating steaming hot, well cooked food on a wooden platter feels amazing. A lot of sizzler joints have mushroomed around the city, but, only a few of them are even worth mentioning. Zamu’s on Dhole Patil road has earned its popularity by serving one of the best sizzler menu’s you can find. Another sizzler Delight is Place Touché Sizzler. It is the premiere sizzler joint of the city. It still has a fairly large number of loyal patrons who frequent it quite religiously. Yoko's near GPO is also very popular thanks to its proximity to colleges and other youth zones. Many more like Bounty and Flag’s razzle and dazzles their patrons with amazing and awesome sizzler meals. With ambiances that could really take your breath away!
Arthur’s Theme, located in Koregaon Park is one of the most popular Italian and continental restaurants. It is often frequented by the rich and famous when they visit our mini-tinsel town. Healthy and tasty food items are the contents of its menu; Arthur’s theme prepares and serves only the best. One will enjoy the service they get here. It may be a little pricy, but the food and service here, makes up for all of it! Arthur’s Theme indeed has it all!!
Deccan Harvest in Magarpatta City has an amazing ambience that can really make you want to go there again and again. Considering that it is situated in Magarpatta city, gives it an added ego boost that a restaurant would need. Deccan Harvest serves food from all over the world, including Indian, Chinese, Continental and some food items that you just wouldn’t understand.
11 East Street Café is a relatively new place, which has an innovative ambience that really adds life to your eating out experience. True to its name, the restaurant looks like a street in Briton and feels so too. With the amazing service here, one does feel, out of this world. It has a variegated menu that appeals to clientele of all age groups. So whether it is a Birthday treat or a business meeting, at 11 East Street, you will not feel out of place.
New restaurants are sprouting everyday serving innovative continental food. So who says Pune is not international when it comes to food?
Bon appetite!
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Written for Intelligent Pune
Chaat anyone?
Many people believe that Chaat tastes best when eaten at a thela wala on the road. Apparently, the dirt constitutes the spices. In this case, you will get really good Chaat in locales like FC Road, Deccan and Salunke Vihar Rd. They will be cheap and very tasty. Each of these locales has a different way of preparing and different style of serving. Nonetheless, your Chaat will be as chaati as it can be. If you speak to these people about their experiences in the biz, it will add spice to your Chaat experience too. Just a word of advice though, makes sure they rinse the plate once in front of you before you eat the spicy delight from it.
You get Chaat of the mediocre hygiene levels at many places too. Like Badhai Sweet Mart and manpasand on Salunke Vihar road. Most sweet shops or popularly known as “mithaiwalas” prefer to have a Chaat stall in the evenings These places use clean water and its in a shop, nonetheless, the servers do not have gloves on. They serve in disposable plates and give you disposable spoons. You can also parcel your desired “dish” from these joints. They might charge you a little extra for the packing. But, it’s clean and you can savour it in the comfort of your home. The benefit of eating spicy Chaat at the mithai shop is that you can cater to your taste buds and sweet teeth under the same roof. A fact that they use as a USP. In fact, Hott in wanowrie serves burgers, and pastries along with Chaat. Can it get any more versatile than this? This is what I call a complete “eating” experience
Then we come to the Chaat places that reek of hygiene. (To the extent that you think you are dreaming). There is Kalyan Bhel in Lullanagar, Bibewadi, Law College Road and Seven Loves Chowk. Kalyan Bhel are in fact practically the pioneers of hygiene inspired Chaat. They have been in business since a throbbing 30 odd years. In few of their branches you can enjoy your Chaat very musically. They are extremely flexible about the taste, so long as you are satisfied with it. Teekha, meetha, garam, thanda, they believe that your wish is their command.
Pasteur’s on M.G. Road also serves a good variety of Chaat at reasonable rates and very hygienically. You can also find that the basketchaat- slush combo is quite tasty. Might seem odd to some, but once tried, you will always have it. Pasteur’s serves any kind of chaats that, due to the low acceptance level, are not sold every where. They will make your Chaat, your way. Just take a coupon and eat way! And one can not afford to forget that they start serving in the morning, a phenomenon that one seldom finds in occurrence in this city.
There is another level of the Chaat experience that is fairly inexplicable. Extremely pricy Chaat at 5-star hotels. Unbelievable, but a must try if you can. It’s an experience worth having. I know, it sounds like a load of embellishment. But the puris are crispier than any where else, the water is “bisleri”, somehow they serve it with a spoon and fork, the plate is stark clean and above all, the taste is amazing. One can figure why the pricy nature of the menu. And ordering for your Chaat specifications in English can be fun for a first timer. Heaven for the tongue, heavy for the pocket.
They say that the popular taste in food of a city depicts the average temperament of the people in that city. With that logic, we puneites are interesting and spicy, isn’t it? Bon apatite!!!
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Written for asklaila.com
The places with the most students will be the places that inevitably serve the best breakfast. Restaurants that vary in size and price structures are all over the city. There are a few places that many people don’t even know about. They are so small, that their existing clientele does well for them. And the patrons love the fact that it’s them alone who come there. This adds a great deal of personal touch.
Starting with the well known reasonably priced joints, FC road is flooded with breakfast joints. You will find that the prices differ, but they are mostly full. There is Vaishali, which is almost world famous in Pune for its lip smacking goodies. It is a little pricy. But it has earned it. Vaishali is one of the oldest restaurants on that road and has a number of loyal patrons who will stand in line for an hour, but will not cheat on it by going to any other place on the road. The seats in the balcony-cum-garden are the mostly desired ones. Hustle bustle and yummy smells are the trademark of this place.
Savera is another all time favorite. It is not as pricy as vaishali and not as crowded either. Although Savera does serve one of the best south Indian breakfast delights. One will find students from FC sipping their chai while they complete their assignments. It is a typical college joint as lighter pockets find it more favourable. However, parking can at times be an issue, but then again, it’s a risk one has to take. Akhir peth ka savaal hai.
Another reasonable yet slightly pricy joint is madhuban on Dhole Patil road. This one is a favorite of the Wadia college students. It opens early and serves well. Madhuban has ample seating and is almost always full. It is often known as an extension to the Wadia college canteen. Madhuban serves a variety of foods that tingle your taste buds and satisfy your appetite.
Coming to the low cost joints. Ones that get frequented a lot more during the last week of the month. Parvara on salunkhe Vihar road serves a good selection of south Indian and Parsi delicacies. It opens really early and is a delight for the miserly. Parvara has a low seating capacity. It is always occupied but never full. The pleasant owners are always there, greeting the regulars with smiles and conversations.
Now, high priced 5-star hotels. Pune is a place frequents a lot by tourist. Koregaon Park is known for its expensive food, expensive clothes and expensive houses. German Bakery serves a good variety of Indian and continental breakfast favorites to satisfy all. It is one of the old faithful joints in the city. It is a tourist spot in itself, a landmark to guide by. German bakery is one of the only places in the city that even give the option of salad as breakfast and the coffee is to die for.
Arora Towers, one of the cities premiere hotels, serves a delightful breakfast buffet with variety that could make your head spin and prices to make it spin even more. Their baked beans on toast is a must have for any one who savours continental and healthy food. It may pinch your pocket a bit, but your taste buds will make up for it.
Variety on the breakfast table, thy name is Pune!!
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Written for asklaila.com
World of Toys in camp is one of the most popular outlet for children and parents. They have a varied collection of toys and games for children at all ages and cater to a broad price range. They say that toys are indeed very instrumental in a child’s physical, mental and emotional growth. And, as such toy world can serve a child of any temperament. World of Toys offers a wide range of toys and games for specific purposes like concentration building and memory enhancement. All in all, it is indeed a wonderful place to be, for you and for me!!
Hallmarks and Archies store outlets also host a variety of toys, games soft toys and gift toys along with other gifting items. They are a little bit on the pricier side, but quality is guaranteed. All products are approved as per standard guidelines and really look stunning. You will mostly find these outlets crowded with groups of school children just window shopping and wishfully thinking. Also, you will see adolescent boys and girls picking up cute gifts and cards for loved ones. These stores have a perpetual aura of love and a feeling of care and concern. For the Elder lot, theses are the stores where you will find readymade, yet, miraculously personalized gifts.
Jou Jou Land in erandwane is another delightful place to visit. A store that mirrors colour and creativity. This place has a fairly limited collection, but one that you will love. The toys and games found here are popular, some of them only heard of but never seen. A little far from the centre of the city, Jou Jou Land mainly caters to residents and visitors of kothrud and Erandwane locales. It is very reasonably priced and offers products of very good quality.
Another wonderful place for toy shopping is Toy World. Located in Pimpri, Toy world stands true to it’s name. It offers a world of variety in toys and a quality that is fairly good. Very much out of the city, Toy World mainly caters to patrons in Pimpri Chinchwad area, nonetheless, visitors do often find that a long detour to this store can prove to make you quite popular with the kids.
Another delightful place is Ambika, A Complete Toy Shop. True to its name, one can find absolutely all kinds of toys of all possible natures. From soft toys to high tech modern day toys, you can find almost the world here. Once you set foot in Ambika, you would not wish to go any where else. Located in Shukrawar Peth, it may seem to be a little out of the way. Nonetheless, their abundant variety and reasonable prices, make the journey worth it.
Toys are very essential for a child’s development. But what is more essential is the right guidance about the use and the right age for the toys. All stores today offer such guidance. No matter how many new toys pour into the market, Barbie, Ken and GI Joe will reside right where they used to, The No 1 position!!
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Written for asklaila.com
Firstly, we discuss the wining and dining at the top hotels in the city. Aurora Tower, Le Meridien, Sun and Sand and of course, Taj Blue Diamond. These hotels serve exquisite continental food. It is finger licking good. A little bit on the pricy side, these places offer amazing service with amazing food. They say, the way to a person’s heart, is through theirs stomach. These places find their way to your pocket enroute as well. Another addition to the 5 star and wagon is St. Laurn. A relatively new hotel, St. Laurn serves the most delicious Italian meals one can find. St. Laurn is also on the pricy side, but who says no to paying the price for time well-spent?
Arthur’s Theme, located in Koregaon Park is one of the most popular Italian and continental restaurants. It is often frequented by the rich and famous when they visit our mini-tinsel town. Healthy and tasty food items are the contents of it’s menu, Arthurs theme prepares and serves only the best. One will enjoy the service they get here, by fairly good looking waiters. Arthur’s Theme indeed has it all!!
11 East Street Café is a relatively new place which has an innovation ambience that really adds life to your eating out experience. True to its name, the restaurant looks like a street in Briton and feels so too. With the amazing service here, one does feel, out of this world. It has an amazing menu that appeals to clientele of all age groups. So whether it’s a Birthday treat or a business meeting, at 11 East street, you will not feel out of place.
Flags, located right next to Inox Multiplex, is a wonderful place to go for a truly global experience. You will find all kinds of cuisine on their menu, and all of the dishes are quite delightful. Fairly expensive, but flags makes up for it with the taste. Flags is also known to host screening events and is a popular choice for conferences.
Place Touche Sizzler is the premiere sizzler joint of the city. It still has a fairly large number of loyal patrons who frequent it quite religiously. It serves sizzlers that are indeed the best you will find and quality that cannot be questioned. Service might seem a little slow to some, but with the dish they serve, its all worth it. Place touché is not very expensive and hence, has been able to stay in the race with the new and improved sizzler joints in the city.
ZK’s Restaurant in lullangar basically gained its popularity with the crowd due to the popularity of the owner, Zaheer Khan. ZK’s does get frequented by top notch cricketer’s and other sports personalities whenever they are in town. ZK’s has a very varied menu, with Indian, Chinese and Continental food which is finger licking good. Being reasonably priced, ZK’s has a lot of loyal patrons, mostly from the Lullanagar, Wanowrie, Kondhwa areas. Their wine list is quite long and indeed quite a delight. All in all, ZK’s is OK!!!
Deccan Harvest in Magarpatta City has an amazing ambience that can really make you want to go there again and again. Considering that it is situated in Magarpatta city, gives it an added ego boost that a restaurant would need. Deccan harvest serves food from all over the world, including Indian, Chinese, Continental and some food items that you just wouldn’t understand. If you believe that the way the room is lit plays a role on your eating experience, you will have the time of your life here. Very cozy ambience and food you could never stop eating, the price hardly matters, right? It for sure is a place that one should visit at least once!!
Bon apetit!!
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Written for asklaila.com
One of the best out of the regular parlours is Shambhavi’s on Salunkhe Vihar Road. They have reasonable prices and mediocre service. They will wax you well and thread you pretty. Completely hygienic yet not the kind of ambiance you would pay higher for. The working hours add a great deal of convenience for working women. One will also find good music here, it, kind of, helps ease the pain.
Now going a step up the price range ladder. We make a visit to Fab on NIBM Road and Beautiful People on SalunkheVihar Road. They are a little higher in prices but services are better. These are the parlours that will add a longer massage to your facials and a better wave to your hair cuts. These are the places where you will find all brands of hair colours and you can take your pick on the basis of price and quality. They believe in offering amazing services and guidance at a good price.
Pune is a cultural hub that is fast turning into a metro. And for that very reason women today need to feel like princesses when they leave the comfort of the parlour and rejoin the polluted world. There are a great deal of parlors that are slightly higher up the price range but offer great service and consumer satisfaction. These are the places that will tell you which hair cut, hair style and hair colour will suit you as well as how should you maintain your nails to keep them just perfect.
Indulge in Viman Nagar is a new parlour that has fast gained momentum and popularity due to just these factors and the fact that is one of Pune’s only Unisex salons . La Gazelle on Dhole Patil road has been catering to clients with excellence since many years and has several loyal patrons who trust them with their skin, nails and hair blindly. Roma’s in Clover Centre has helped so many women increase their self confidence by making them look the best they can. Roma’s is also an institute in Beautification and certifies several women in a year to help beautify women to perfection.
All in all, these are the parlours that one can really brag about getting a hair cut done from, or give credit for the splendid mani-pedi jobs.
But, come on, this is Pune. Many more options exist for those who seek them. There are many beauticians who do house calls. This is a boon for today’s women because time is a constraint. Not always can you leave your house if you have a little free time. For such incidences beauticians like Genevieve make house calls. She is mostly booked, but an appointment in advance can help you get parlour pampering in the comfort of your very home. Just one call and all your beauty woes can find a vent. Who knew that we could have our own Cleopatra-makers come home!!
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Written for asklaila.com
Most malls these days have separate sections for “kid’s wear”. An interesting isle to enter, these sections have attire for all kind of children. Attire that can truly add attitude to a toddler. Of course, they are a little pricy, but whats a little money in comparison to the “awwws” you get for your kid looking so cute. Malls like West side and Shopper’s Stop have a variety of absolutely adorable and chic clothing for the little people. So next time think about shopping therapy, try entering the Kid’s Isle for your little one too.
A few independent Children’s boutiques have also opened up around the town, simply emphasizing that kid’s clothing is “in”. Unique Kid’s Mart Pvt. Ltd. near Deccan Gymkhana is one such enterprise. They have apparel for children in the age group of 0-14. The place is filled with colours and the cutest designs that suit children. You will find it all here, from ethnic to party wear. It is fairly safe to say, that any kid can get an amazing make over right here.
Samrat Exclusive Children Wear, as the name suggests, is also a dealer in adorable kids apparel. One foot into the store would probably make you gag at all the things that children can wear, no matter how small they are. Samrat is reasonably priced and offers frequent discounts. All in all, it is a pleasure to shop for the toddlers here. The smile on the child’s face will be testimony enough!
Just Casuals in Camp is another place that you could find catering to all your kids wear woes. Also, at Just Casuals you could probably pick up a shirt or two for your self. A complete family shopping experience. Just Casuals is relatively reasonably priced, however, people seldom come out without buying a big bunch of stuff. Just Casuals offers variety with quality and guarantees. It’s not everyday that you get such a package, is it?
Clover Center, in Camp, is another place where kid’s apparel can be found in plenty. A good walk around the place and you can find the best bargains in town. From the stylish vogue attire to the simple and conventional clothing, it’s all right here. Clover Center has been a style hub of the city since ages. You can have clothes tailor made for your child here as well. The tailors will surely help you out with the cute designs.
Bubbles the Baby Store in wanowrie would also be a safe bet to find the right Hyde for your child. They hold variety the kids apparel for children up to the age of 10. You can also shop for other child related items here, like toys and utility items. You must be warned though, your toddler will give you quite a run for your money here, so be careful!!
Children add a lot of colours and life to our life too, a little money spent on ensuring their self confidence can prove to be money well spent!!
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Written for asklaila.com
The British Council Library is one of the finest and biggest in the city. It holds the highest number of titles from all era and genres. It has affiliated certifications too. Basically, it is the heaven of libraries in the city. The British Council Library is located on Fergusson college road and caters to a number of college students as well as working individuals alike. It is affiliated with the British council giving its members the esteem of association with international publications and several genius writers.
Readers’ Only Library in Koregaon park has a slightly high membership fees but holds an awesome collection of books from all genres. It has a huge member base and often holds book readings. It has books for readers of all age groups making it a popular choice for those who adore the library lifestyle. They hold all types of titles and writers. However, you might have to stay on a waiting list for the modern Indian Author books.
Friend’s Library on Salunkhe vihar Road is a great choice for those who do not prefer to read in a reading hall. It has a mediocre collections, however, they will arrange to get the books you need while you are on a waiting list. They have a reasonable membership fees which makes it a good option for those who are trying to acquire a reading habit.
The Poona Welfare Trust near GPO is a massive library that hosts numerous authors. Owing to the fact that it is associated to a trust, membership fees are very low. The books may be old, but then again, they have their own charm. It has a huge reading hall wherein students find it very easy and comfortable to study and gain knowledge. Silence, as always, needs to be maintained!
Albert Edward Institute and Library is one of the oldest homes for several authors. Situated in prime camp area, Albert Edward has a huge collections of books which are mostly donated by others. They do not have any specific membership fee. However, at times it might be difficult to find technical or subject specific books here. Nonetheless, the ambience would truly be mesmerizing to all library lovers in the city!
Other than these there are several smaller libraries in the city that do have a lot of patrons. Pune is indeed a city of book lovers, no area can survive without a library. Following is a list of a few of them:
Symphony Club – Pashan
Ameya Library- Dhole Patil Road
Abhiruchi Books –Karve Nagar
Pune Marathi Granthalay – Narayan Peth
Jungle Book Library – Aundh
Vaishnavi Library – Kothrud.
Happy Reading!
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Written for asklaila.com
Pakaod in the kitchen? Not any more!!!
Ever wondered why the food you cook at home doesn’t taste as good as the restaurant food? Wondered how to convince your children to eat vegetables by making it so yummy that they can’t resist it? One place that you can find all your answers is Royal Cooking Classes by Mrs. Kalpana Vasnani.
Mrs. Vasnani residing in Panchratna Apartments, Fatima nagar, has been helping men and women create magic in the kitchen since 15 years. Indian, Lebanese, Sizzlers, Pizzas, Arabian, Italian, Spanish, Mock tails, Chocolates, you name it and she can teach you to whip it up in a jiffy. “I don’t believe in cooking secrets, if I think something will help make a good recipe, I teach it to my students!” hse says. She has a unique style of teaching several variations in each recipe. You will find yourself knowing a whole lot more than you think you learned!
She does not admit more than 8 students in each batch, making sure each student get complete attention. She designs the batches personally to fit everybody’s requirement. She has several male students too. The way to a woman’s heart is, also, through her stomach, and she can show you the map. She also conducts separate private workshop for batches at other locations, and provides very unique, motivating and exhilarating workshops for corporate houses as well.
Having trained several restaurateurs and their head chefs, she has also conducted demo’s for specialized microwave recipes and pre-made masalas by Rasoi Magic. Several of her students have won cooking awards for her very unique and ultra delicious Murg Anarkali and ingenious Stuffed Chicken with Rice.
So, men, the next time you want to give your special lady a surprise, learn to cook her favorite meal and cook it for her. And, women, one can never know too many recipes, here is where you can go to learn more!!
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Written for Street Guardian, Pune.
Mrs. Vasnani residing in Panchratna Apartments, Fatima nagar, has been helping men and women create magic in the kitchen since 15 years. Indian, Lebanese, Sizzlers, Pizzas, Arabian, Italian, Spanish, Mock tails, Chocolates, you name it and she can teach you to whip it up in a jiffy. “I don’t believe in cooking secrets, if I think something will help make a good recipe, I teach it to my students!” hse says. She has a unique style of teaching several variations in each recipe. You will find yourself knowing a whole lot more than you think you learned!
She does not admit more than 8 students in each batch, making sure each student get complete attention. She designs the batches personally to fit everybody’s requirement. She has several male students too. The way to a woman’s heart is, also, through her stomach, and she can show you the map. She also conducts separate private workshop for batches at other locations, and provides very unique, motivating and exhilarating workshops for corporate houses as well.
Having trained several restaurateurs and their head chefs, she has also conducted demo’s for specialized microwave recipes and pre-made masalas by Rasoi Magic. Several of her students have won cooking awards for her very unique and ultra delicious Murg Anarkali and ingenious Stuffed Chicken with Rice.
So, men, the next time you want to give your special lady a surprise, learn to cook her favorite meal and cook it for her. And, women, one can never know too many recipes, here is where you can go to learn more!!
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Written for Street Guardian, Pune.
On a continental cuisine cruise
Thanks to Globalization, our food tastes have also become fairly global. Pune has a number of restaurants that serve mouth-watering continental delights to lift spirits of the most depressed souls. They say the stomach is the way to a person’s heart. Another factor that influences the popularity of continental joints in the city is the massive phirang traffic here. Thanks to Osho, the University of Pune and lately the corporate crowd in multi-national, automobile and IT companies, the demand for continental cuisine is on the rise.
Starting with the well-known and perpetual joints, Pune’s five star hotels have to be acknowledged for their impeccable continental cooking. And, why not? When you have the clientele, you would put in an extra effort to add the “yumm” to the menu. Hotels like Le Meridien, Taj Blue Diamond, St. Laurn, Aurora Towers, Sun n’ Sand and Hotel Pride are known places for continental cuisine.
Sizzlers are a growing trend these days. The practice of eating steaming hot, well cooked food on a wooden platter feels amazing. A lot of sizzler joints have mushroomed around the city, but, only a few of them are even worth mentioning. Zamu’s on Dhole Patil road has earned its popularity by serving one of the best sizzler menu’s you can find. Another sizzler Delight is Place Touché Sizzler. It is the premiere sizzler joint of the city. It still has a fairly large number of loyal patrons who frequent it quite religiously. Yoko's near GPO is also very popular thanks to its proximity to colleges and other youth zones. Many more like Bounty and Flag’s razzle and dazzles their patrons with amazing and awesome sizzler meals. With ambiances that could really take your breath away!
Arthur’s Theme, located in Koregaon Park is one of the most popular Italian and continental restaurants. It is often frequented by the rich and famous when they visit our mini-tinsel town. Healthy and tasty food items are the contents of its menu; Arthur’s theme prepares and serves only the best. One will enjoy the service they get here. It may be a little pricy, but the food and service here, makes up for all of it! Arthur’s Theme indeed has it all!!
Deccan Harvest in Magarpatta City has an amazing ambience that can really make you want to go there again and again. Considering that it is situated in Magarpatta city, gives it an added ego boost that a restaurant would need. Deccan Harvest serves food from all over the world, including Indian, Chinese, Continental and some food items that you just wouldn’t understand.
11 East Street Café is a relatively new place, which has an innovative ambience that really adds life to your eating out experience. True to its name, the restaurant looks like a street in Briton and feels so too. With the amazing service here, one does feel, out of this world. It has a variegated menu that appeals to clientele of all age groups. So whether it is a Birthday treat or a business meeting, at 11 East Street, you will not feel out of place.
New restaurants are sprouting everyday serving innovative continental food. So who says Pune is not international when it comes to food?
Bon appetite!
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Written for Intelligent Pune
Starting with the well-known and perpetual joints, Pune’s five star hotels have to be acknowledged for their impeccable continental cooking. And, why not? When you have the clientele, you would put in an extra effort to add the “yumm” to the menu. Hotels like Le Meridien, Taj Blue Diamond, St. Laurn, Aurora Towers, Sun n’ Sand and Hotel Pride are known places for continental cuisine.
Sizzlers are a growing trend these days. The practice of eating steaming hot, well cooked food on a wooden platter feels amazing. A lot of sizzler joints have mushroomed around the city, but, only a few of them are even worth mentioning. Zamu’s on Dhole Patil road has earned its popularity by serving one of the best sizzler menu’s you can find. Another sizzler Delight is Place Touché Sizzler. It is the premiere sizzler joint of the city. It still has a fairly large number of loyal patrons who frequent it quite religiously. Yoko's near GPO is also very popular thanks to its proximity to colleges and other youth zones. Many more like Bounty and Flag’s razzle and dazzles their patrons with amazing and awesome sizzler meals. With ambiances that could really take your breath away!
Arthur’s Theme, located in Koregaon Park is one of the most popular Italian and continental restaurants. It is often frequented by the rich and famous when they visit our mini-tinsel town. Healthy and tasty food items are the contents of its menu; Arthur’s theme prepares and serves only the best. One will enjoy the service they get here. It may be a little pricy, but the food and service here, makes up for all of it! Arthur’s Theme indeed has it all!!
Deccan Harvest in Magarpatta City has an amazing ambience that can really make you want to go there again and again. Considering that it is situated in Magarpatta city, gives it an added ego boost that a restaurant would need. Deccan Harvest serves food from all over the world, including Indian, Chinese, Continental and some food items that you just wouldn’t understand.
11 East Street Café is a relatively new place, which has an innovative ambience that really adds life to your eating out experience. True to its name, the restaurant looks like a street in Briton and feels so too. With the amazing service here, one does feel, out of this world. It has a variegated menu that appeals to clientele of all age groups. So whether it is a Birthday treat or a business meeting, at 11 East Street, you will not feel out of place.
New restaurants are sprouting everyday serving innovative continental food. So who says Pune is not international when it comes to food?
Bon appetite!
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Written for Intelligent Pune
Chaat anyone?
Chaat, a decadent delicacy, the taste for which is natural in, practically, every Indian. Pune has a lot of famous and adored spots for Chaat. Each with their very own individual tastes.
Many people believe that Chaat tastes best when eaten at a thela wala on the road. Apparently, the dirt constitutes the spices. In this case, you will get really good Chaat in locales like FC Road, Deccan and Salunke Vihar Rd. They will be cheap and very tasty. Each of these locales has a different way of preparing and different style of serving. Nonetheless, your Chaat will be as chaati as it can be. If you speak to these people about their experiences in the biz, it will add spice to your Chaat experience too. Just a word of advice though, makes sure they rinse the plate once in front of you before you eat the spicy delight from it.
You get Chaat of the mediocre hygiene levels at many places too. Like Badhai Sweet Mart and manpasand on Salunke Vihar road. Most sweet shops or popularly known as “mithaiwalas” prefer to have a Chaat stall in the evenings These places use clean water and its in a shop, nonetheless, the servers do not have gloves on. They serve in disposable plates and give you disposable spoons. You can also parcel your desired “dish” from these joints. They might charge you a little extra for the packing. But, it’s clean and you can savour it in the comfort of your home. The benefit of eating spicy Chaat at the mithai shop is that you can cater to your taste buds and sweet teeth under the same roof. A fact that they use as a USP. In fact, Hott in wanowrie serves burgers, and pastries along with Chaat. Can it get any more versatile than this? This is what I call a complete “eating” experience
Then we come to the Chaat places that reek of hygiene. (To the extent that you think you are dreaming). There is Kalyan Bhel in Lullanagar, Bibewadi, Law College Road and Seven Loves Chowk. Kalyan Bhel are in fact practically the pioneers of hygiene inspired Chaat. They have been in business since a throbbing 30 odd years. In few of their branches you can enjoy your Chaat very musically. They are extremely flexible about the taste, so long as you are satisfied with it. Teekha, meetha, garam, thanda, they believe that your wish is their command.
Pasteur’s on M.G. Road also serves a good variety of Chaat at reasonable rates and very hygienically. You can also find that the basketchaat- slush combo is quite tasty. Might seem odd to some, but once tried, you will always have it. Pasteur’s serves any kind of chaats that, due to the low acceptance level, are not sold every where. They will make your Chaat, your way. Just take a coupon and eat way! And one can not afford to forget that they start serving in the morning, a phenomenon that one seldom finds in occurrence in this city.
There is another level of the Chaat experience that is fairly inexplicable. Extremely pricy Chaat at 5-star hotels. Unbelievable, but a must try if you can. It’s an experience worth having. I know, it sounds like a load of embellishment. But the puris are crispier than any where else, the water is “bisleri”, somehow they serve it with a spoon and fork, the plate is stark clean and above all, the taste is amazing. One can figure why the pricy nature of the menu. And ordering for your Chaat specifications in English can be fun for a first timer. Heaven for the tongue, heavy for the pocket.
They say that the popular taste in food of a city depicts the average temperament of the people in that city. With that logic, we puneites are interesting and spicy, isn’t it? Bon apatite!!!
Many people believe that Chaat tastes best when eaten at a thela wala on the road. Apparently, the dirt constitutes the spices. In this case, you will get really good Chaat in locales like FC Road, Deccan and Salunke Vihar Rd. They will be cheap and very tasty. Each of these locales has a different way of preparing and different style of serving. Nonetheless, your Chaat will be as chaati as it can be. If you speak to these people about their experiences in the biz, it will add spice to your Chaat experience too. Just a word of advice though, makes sure they rinse the plate once in front of you before you eat the spicy delight from it.
You get Chaat of the mediocre hygiene levels at many places too. Like Badhai Sweet Mart and manpasand on Salunke Vihar road. Most sweet shops or popularly known as “mithaiwalas” prefer to have a Chaat stall in the evenings These places use clean water and its in a shop, nonetheless, the servers do not have gloves on. They serve in disposable plates and give you disposable spoons. You can also parcel your desired “dish” from these joints. They might charge you a little extra for the packing. But, it’s clean and you can savour it in the comfort of your home. The benefit of eating spicy Chaat at the mithai shop is that you can cater to your taste buds and sweet teeth under the same roof. A fact that they use as a USP. In fact, Hott in wanowrie serves burgers, and pastries along with Chaat. Can it get any more versatile than this? This is what I call a complete “eating” experience
Then we come to the Chaat places that reek of hygiene. (To the extent that you think you are dreaming). There is Kalyan Bhel in Lullanagar, Bibewadi, Law College Road and Seven Loves Chowk. Kalyan Bhel are in fact practically the pioneers of hygiene inspired Chaat. They have been in business since a throbbing 30 odd years. In few of their branches you can enjoy your Chaat very musically. They are extremely flexible about the taste, so long as you are satisfied with it. Teekha, meetha, garam, thanda, they believe that your wish is their command.
Pasteur’s on M.G. Road also serves a good variety of Chaat at reasonable rates and very hygienically. You can also find that the basketchaat- slush combo is quite tasty. Might seem odd to some, but once tried, you will always have it. Pasteur’s serves any kind of chaats that, due to the low acceptance level, are not sold every where. They will make your Chaat, your way. Just take a coupon and eat way! And one can not afford to forget that they start serving in the morning, a phenomenon that one seldom finds in occurrence in this city.
There is another level of the Chaat experience that is fairly inexplicable. Extremely pricy Chaat at 5-star hotels. Unbelievable, but a must try if you can. It’s an experience worth having. I know, it sounds like a load of embellishment. But the puris are crispier than any where else, the water is “bisleri”, somehow they serve it with a spoon and fork, the plate is stark clean and above all, the taste is amazing. One can figure why the pricy nature of the menu. And ordering for your Chaat specifications in English can be fun for a first timer. Heaven for the tongue, heavy for the pocket.
They say that the popular taste in food of a city depicts the average temperament of the people in that city. With that logic, we puneites are interesting and spicy, isn’t it? Bon apatite!!!
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Written for asklaila.com
2 comments:
Great work Rashida, Good to see some one sensible putting up work like this, gr8 job.
Way to go girl
Great work, keep it up!
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